Advanced Aromatherapy Course for Qualified Professionals: ITEC Level 3 Diploma To practice as a registered aromatherapist one must complete the ITEC (International Therapy Examination Council) Level 3 Diploma in Aromatherapy. The qualification is recognized by Ofqual (Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation). The course includes the study of plant anatomy, plant medicinal properties, business studies, research and case studies. Course completion is followed by registration with CNHC (Complimentary Medicine and Healthcare Council). The qualification is also recognized by Aromatherapy Council.
Career Progression and Further Education: It is common for qualified aromatherapists to qualify in more than one discipline. So they may follow the ITEC Level 3 Diploma in Aromatherapy with other ITEC or equivalent qualifications at Levels 3 and 4, such as reflexology, spa treatments, Indian head massage, sports massage therapy, spa and salon management and much more. An additional qualification not only offers the potential of an added revenue, it also provides you with another medium of treatment for your patients. Alongside aromatherapy if you are able to provide sports massage, reflexology, spa treatments or Indian head massage, you can easily include an entirely different client base.
Employment: Aromatherapists are largely employed by the alternative medicine clinics. Your local
listing may also have some open positions for aromatherapists. Initially, aromatherapist may work parttime. More often aromatherapists are selfemployed and earn upto £50 per her for each treatment. Aromatherapists generally work on a flexible schedule where they may book morning and evening appointments in order to fit around a client’s work schedule. Aromatherapists earn an income from working out of their own clinic and bear the cost of essential oils and other employees assisting. An experienced aromatherapist with a wide client base can earn upto £35,000 per annum. Alternatively, aromatherapists can visit the clients at their own homes, hospices or hospitals.
Government Loans: UK government has many schemes that helps to fund local businesses. The funding schemes are provided through Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) or the Chambers
of Commerce. Sector secific business grants are available. The loan varies from £1,000 to £100,000 and covers the funding of businesses at a local and national level. In order to secure a grant you must submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) and make sure that your grant application falls within the scope of the grant call. A complete grant application comprises of a business plan, market research and financial forecasts of minimum 1 to 3 years. Every grant application goes through a process of due diligence so make sure that every information you add there is authentic. In your grant application you will need to justify how you plan to use the funding allotted to you. It may take several months for your grant application to get accepted and for you to receive an offer. In fact grants are not the fastest way to get funding for your business. Moreover grant money never comes to your business upfront and it must be claimed once you meet certain business goals. In that case you have to dip into your personal savings to keep your business afloat. Sometimes businesses take out small loans until they receive fundings from the grant. Alternatively, you can avail the benefits of governmentbacked startup loans ranging from £500 to £25,000 with a fixed interest rate of 6% per year.
Affable Therapy Training Limited 64A George Street, Croydon CR0 1PD Phone: 0208 338 1212/ 07917147302 Website: www.affabletherapy.com Email: info@affabletherapy.com Follow us on: Facebook | Twitter | Google+